Adoption Incentive Payments (93.603)

 

Program

93.603 Adoption Incentive Payments

 

Federal Agency

ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Authorization

Part E, Section 473A of the Social Security Act; Section 201 of the Adoption and Safe Families Act, Public Law 105-89.

 

Program Number

93.603

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To provide incentives to States to increase annually the number of foster child adoptions and special needs adoptions.

 

Types of Assistance

Formula Grants.

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

A State shall not expend an amount paid to the State under this grant except to provide to children of families any activity or service (including post-adoption services) that may be provided under Part B or E of Title IV of the social Security Act. Amounts expended by a State in accordance with the preceding sentence shall be disregarded in determining State expenditures for purposes of Federal matching payments under Sections 423, 434, and 474 of the Social Security Act.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Applications are not required. The 50 States, Puerto Rico and District of Columbia may receive payments. The Children's Bureau shall determine the numbers of foster child adoptions and the special needs adoptions in a State for fiscal years 1995 through 2002, on the basis of AFCARS data as reported by each State and accepted by the Children's Bureau no later than May 15, of the fiscal year subsequent to the fiscal year in which the adoptions were finalized (i.e., the "earning year").

Beneficiary Eligibility

Beneficiaries are those children and families eligible under Title IV-B and Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, as amended.

Credentials/Documentation

The Children's Bureau must receive and approve State reported AFCARS data submitted by May 15 of the fiscal year subsequent to the fiscal year in which the adoptions were finalized (i.e., the "earning year").

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

States are automatic applicants.

Award Procedure

Incentive payments will be issued annually, in the fiscal year subsequent to the earning year. Payment will be based on AFCARS data submitted no later than May 15 of the fiscal year following the earning year. AFCARS data must be accepted and approved by the Children's Bureau.

Deadlines

FCARS reports must be received no later than May 15, for subsequent fiscal years in order to be considered for incentive payments.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

Not applicable.

Renewals

None. Each "earning year" (fiscal years 1998-2002), State adoption data received through AFCARS will be considered on its own.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

The adoption incentive payment payable to a State for a fiscal year shall be equal to the sum of A) $4,000, multiplied by the number of foster child adoptions in the State during the fiscal year which exceeds the base number of foster child adoptions for the State for the fiscal year; and B) $2,000, multiplied by the number of special needs adoptions in the State during the fiscal year which exceeds the base number of special needs adoptions for the State for the fiscal year. There are no matching requirements for these funds.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Payments to a State in a fiscal year shall remain available for use by the State through the end of the succeeding fiscal year.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

States must identify in the Child and Family Services Plan (CFSP) or Annual Progress and Services Report (APSR) as applicable (due June 30 of each year), the services they have provided to children and families as a result of the expenditure of adoption incentive payments. Should more than one fiscal year's incentive funds be expended during a given reporting period, the report should reflect the services provided and identify the fiscal year's funds expended. Actual expenditures of incentive funds must be reported annually on Form SF- 269, Financial Status Report.

Audits

In accordance with 45 CFR 74.

Records

None.

 

Program Accomplishments

In fiscal year 2002, 44 grants were awarded in which 46,000 foster care children were legally adopted. It is estimated that 44 grants will be awarded in fiscal year 2002 and fiscal year 2003.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-1536-0-1-506.

Obligations

FY 02 $42,994,000; FY 03 est $43,000,000; and FY 04 est $43,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

In FY 2002 the range of Incentive payments to State ranged from 6,758 to $12,791,424. The average incentive payment to a State was $770,032.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

ACYF-CB-IM-97-05, issued 7/7/97; ACYF-CB-PI-98-07, issued April 30, 1998; ACYF-CB-PI-99-04, issued March 5, 1999, ACYF-CB-IM-03-01, issued March 7, 2001.

 

Related Programs

None.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

ACF Regional Offices.

Headquarters Office

Jennifer Butler-Hembree, Division of Program Implementation, Children's Bureau, Administration for Children, Youth and Families, 330 C St., SW., Washington, DC 20447, Telephone: (202) 260-7684.

Web Site Address

http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cb

 

Examples of Funded Projects

Not applicable.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

All State Agencies are considered if the number of adoptions exceed the baseline number of adoptions.